Microsoft Protests Lead to 18 Arrests Amid Calls to Cut Ties with Israeli Military

At Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, police arrested 18 protesters on Wednesday during worker-led demonstrations demanding the tech giant sever its business ties with Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The protests, which lasted two consecutive days, called for an immediate halt to Microsoft’s collaboration with Israeli military forces.

The demonstrations turned more confrontational on Wednesday compared to Tuesday, when around 35 protesters peacefully left the campus after Microsoft requested their departure. This time, protesters resisted and became aggressive when law enforcement intervened, leading to arrests. During the protest, red paint resembling blood was splattered over a prominent sign featuring the Microsoft logo, symbolizing dissent against the company’s involvement.

Microsoft recently announced that it has engaged a law firm to investigate allegations reported by The Guardian that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) used Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to store phone call data gathered through mass surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The company stated that its standard terms of service prohibit such usage and promised a “full and urgent review” of the claims.

This controversy comes amid reports from February revealing Microsoft’s close partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defence. The use of commercial AI technology by the Israeli military has surged nearly 200 times following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, raising heightened concerns about ethical implications and corporate responsibility in conflict zones.